A well-travelled dancer and great-great-grandmother has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Emily West, of Cambbrian Road, Leyton, was joined by friends and family yesterday to mark the occasion.

Mrs West is the daughter of a British soldier and a chocolate carver.

She spent much of her young life travelling around the UK with her mother – days she describes as the best of her life.

In her early 20s, she worked in a cinema in Walthamstow, where she met her husband, George.

They later married in St Saviour’s Church in Markhouse Road.

Mrs West’s granddaughter, Carole Morrad, said: “She loved to watch films and he was always in there. He kept asking her out and eventually she said yes.”

Mrs West spent much of her working life as a charge hand at a printer, although also worked with deaf children for some time.

The couple were well travelled, visiting destinations all over the world.

When she retired, Mrs West decided to take up old-time dancing and persuaded her husband to join her – a move which would change their lives.

Mrs Morrad said: “In retirement she told my granddad she wanted to start old time dancing – he said he didn’t want to but she said ‘fine, I’ll find someone else to dance with’ so he went along.

“They performed all over, from the town hall here to holiday resorts.”

The West has one son, two grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

“She has always just been so positive, so funny. That’s probably the secret to reaching 100,” Mrs Morrad said.